Automatic injector for hypodermic needles



Dec. 29, 1953 G. o. TRANSUE AUTOMATIC INJECTOR FOR HYPODERMIC NEEDLES Filed Aug. 15

Q INVENTOR GERHLD O.TR HHSUE ATTORNEY Patented Dec. 29, 1953 AUTOMATIC INJECTOR FOR HYPODERMIC NEEDLES Gerald 0. 'Transue, Havertown, Pa.

.ApplicationAugust '15, 1950, SerialNo. 179,409

18 laims. (01.128-218) With the present state of medicine many lay persons use hypodermic injectors either for self administration or for the treatment of members of the family. In the use of such hypodermic injectors, the operation of inserting the needle into the flesh or muscle of the patient constitutes the difliculty or barrier that must be overcome by these lay users of the hypodermic syringe. The present invention aims to provide an improved device designed to receive the syringe and to greatly facilitate the step of embedding or inserting the .needleinto the body of the patient.

The present invention, therefore, relates .generally to a functionally and structurally desirable automatic hypodermic syringe injector and is more particularly directed to a holder or casing designed 'to receive the conventional hypo- .dermic syringe, the same being operable for the automatic insertion of the injector needle into the body of the patient.

Among the objects of .the present invention is to provide a device of the type described above which may first be cocked and which may then be automatically operated to insert the needle in the body of the patient with great facility and rapidity, and with a minimum of discomfort.

Another object of the present invention is to provide 'a device of the above type in which the depth of the insertion of the needle into the body of the patient may be automatically controlled.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will appear more fully hereinafter, it being understood that the same consists in the combination, construction, location and relative arrangement of parts, all as described in detail hereinafter, as shown in the accompanying drawings and as .finally "pointed out in the appended claims.

.In the accompanying drawings, which illustra-te a preferred construction embodying the principles of the present invention:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view, partly in section, showing the instrument of the present invention in its normal, uncocked condition;

Figure 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the instrument in its intermediate condition or :in the process of being cocked;

Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 2 showing the instrument fully cooked;

V Figure 4 .is an enlarged view of the detail .enclosed within the dot and dash circle ofJFigurerZ; .Figure 5 is an enlarged detail of the portion enclosed within the dot and dash circle "of Figure 3;

Figure 6 is a similar detail of the portion enclosed within the dot and dash circle of Figure :1;

and

Figure 7 is a sectional view taken along line In its broadest aspects, the device of the present invention .includes a hollow casing 10 which is designed to receive the conventional hypodermic injector 1 and hold the same theresubstantially all of the syringe |I except for the protruding end portion .of the plunger 12. The injector needle I3 is adapted to project from the open end of the housing or casing to and is thus available for insertion into the body of the patient when the casing is manipulated andoperated as hereinafter described.

The-conventional hypodermic syringe l l usually comprises a syringe barrel M, which receives the therapeutic fluid, and a rod-like plunger l2 for expelling the fluid from the barrel. .At one end the syringe barrel is provided with an integral collar or flange 15 and at its ejection end it is provided with a discharge tip which .mounts the hub l6 of hollow needle 13.

In accordance with the present invention, the housing or casing I 0 for the syringe consists essentially of three open-ended cylinders l1, l8 and I9, preferably but not necessarily formed of metal. The inner cylinder 11 is of an internal diameter somewhat greater than the diameter of the syringe barrel [4 so that the entire hypodermic syringe maybe inserted and removed from the cylinder with facility. Ihis cylinder I1 is provided with an enlarged head '30 having an interiorally threaded recess 31 so that when the syringe is inserted into the present device the flange l5 of "the syringe will abut against the bottom-of the recess 3|. A rear closure member 28 is provided having a threaded plug portion 20 which enters "the recess 3|, and a central body portion 2| of the cover 28 being provided with a central aperture '22 of a diameter'less than that of the flange portion I5 of the syringe barrel but greater than that of the enlarged 'head of the syringe plunger 12. "Thus, the closure member 28 whenthreaded into the enlarged head 30 of the cylinder I! secures the syringe barrel in place while permitting the plunger of the syringe to :be axially shifted 'as necessary to fill the syringe with the hypodermic solution and inject a it into the patients body following penetration of the syringe needle.

The wall thickness of the cylinder I1 is reduced along the rear portion 23 thereof, thus providing an annular shoulder constituting a frontal abutment for a helical spring 24 closely embracing said rear portion 23 of the cylinder [1. The intermediate cylinder l8, which is telescopically fitted upon the cylinder I1, is provided at its rear end with an inturned flange 25 which serves as a rear abutment for the spring 24. The latter thus serves to exert a constant bias on the cylinder I8 tending to force it axially toward the enlarged head of the inner member H.

The external cylinder I3 is telescopically fitted upon the forward end of the intermediate cylinder I8 and is provided with a forwardly extending portion of an internal diameter less than that of the member I8. Thus, the member I9 is provided intermediate its length with an internal annular shoulder 26 which serves as a stop to limit axial movement of the members I8 and I9 inwardly of each other.

The cylinder I9 is provided at its forward end with an adjustable protector sleeve 45 which is threadedly engageable into and out of the free end of the cylinder l9 and may be held in adjusted position by a knurled nut 4I, threaded on said protector sleeve 40. This rotector sleeve is preferably provided with an oblique face 42 which is designed to be placed directly against the epidermis of the patient and so facilitate insertion of the needle at the proper angle.

For the purpose of holding the several sleeves I 1, I8 and I9 in permanent assembly, and for the further purpose of providing stops or motion limits for each of the sleeves and to cook the apparatus, the device of the present invention includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced detent balls 33 which are normally disposed, respectively, within suitable apertures 34 formed in the cylindrical wall of that portion of the intermediate sleeve I8 which is disposed between the sleeves or cylinders I! and I9. For this reason this intermediate sleeve I8 may hereinafter be referred to as the ball-carrying sleeve or cylinder. The diameter of each of the balls 33 is substantially greater than the wall thickness of the ball-carrying cylinder I8 and, therefore, when the apparatus is in its normal position as shown in Figure 1, the balls 33 protrude from their seats in the member I8 into an annular channel 35 formed on the interior face of the cocking sleeve or cylinder I9. The combined depth of the channel 35 and the thickness of the ball-carrying cylinder I8 is at least equal to the diameter of the ball 33. It will thus be apparent that in this position the sleeves l1, l8 and I9 are not only freely revoluble relatively to each other, but also that the inner cylinder I1 is free to shift axially in the direction of the arrow A shown in Figure 2 against the compressive force of the spring 24. To limit this axial movement of the sleeve H, the latter is provided with an annular channel 36 which is not quite of the same depth as channel 35; this channel 36 being preferably approximately half the depth of channel 35. When, therefore, the cylinder I1 is drawn against the spring 24 into the position shown in Figure 2, the balls 33 will enter channel 36 as shown in Figure 2 and in enlarged form in Figure 4. In this position, the device is in an intermediate, uncooked position for the reason that the detent balls 33 are in position to move radially into the channel 34 so that when released the spring 24 is still able to push the sleeve I! in the direction of arrow B back to its position shown in Figure 1. In order to hold the instrument in its final cocked condition, the interior of the cooking sleeve I3 is provided with an additional communicating channel 31 which is approximately half the depth of the channel 35; it being this channel 31 which receives the balls 33 when the device is in its final cocked position as shown in Figures 3 and 5.

In use, when it is desired to cook the device of the present invention, it is merely necessary to lightly grip the cocking sleeve I9 between the fingers of one hand and to pull on the head 30 with the other hand in the direction of the arrow A shown in Figure 2; the syringe parts being supported by the assembly. As a consequence of this operation, the inner sleeve II will move from the position shown in Figure 1 to its position shown in Figure 2, in which position the spring 24 will be fully compressed as shown. At this point, one or more of the detent balls 33 will drop into the position shown in Figure 4 thereby preventing further movement of the sleeve IT in the direction of the arrow A and relatively to the sleeve I8. As the force is further applied at this point, the cooking sleeve I9 will now move in a direction such that all of the balls 33 will be forced by the channel 31 to occupy the position shown in Figure 5, in which position the several balls 33 are so frictionally retained in the channel 31 as to hold the cylinders in their relative positions shown in Figure 3 against the force of the spring 24.

Having thus cooked the device, it is only necessary to grasp the body of the sleeve I8 and so apply the free face of the protector sleeve 40 against the epidermis of the patient at the point where it is desired to make the iniection with sufficient pressure as to cause the cooking sleeve I9 to shift relatively to the sleeve I8 into its position shown in Figures 2 and 4. Under those circumstances, the spring acting against sleeve I1 will cause the surface of channel 36 to function as a cam and thus force the detents 33 outwardly into channel 35. Thereupon, the spring 24 will exert all its pressure against the sleeve I I to move the same together with the syringe in the direction of the arrow B in Figure 1 and so drive the needle I3 into the body of the patient. In this operation the operator should preferably continue to grip the cylinder I8 and through it firmly press the open face of the protector sleeve 40 against the body of the patient.

The user may adjust the position of the protector sleeve 40 prior to the injection. With the device in its normal, uncocked condition, the user adjusts the sleeve 40 to the desired position by observing the length of the needle that projects from the sleeve, for it is this length that will be inserted into the tissue. When the device is in its cocked position the needle will be withdrawn into the protector sleeve 40. After the device is cocked, the user grips the sleeve I8 firmly and presses the face 42 against the body. The needle will then be automatically inserted into the tissues to the depth desired. Thereupon by projecting plunger I2 with respect to barrel I4, the medicament is hypodermically injected through the bore of needle I3.

It will be understood, of course, that the present invention is susceptible of various changes and modifications which may be made from time to time .without departing from the general principles: or real spirit thereon and is accordingly intended to claim the same broadly, as: well as specifically, as indicated by the: appended, claims.

What: is: claimed as: new and useful is: E. An: automatic syringe injector comprising a tubular chamber adapted to receive and hold a syringe injector with injector needle protruding therefrom, a cylindrical casing for said chamber in telescopic engagement therewith, said: casing including a pair of telescopic tubular ele- -rnents, and means carried by said casing and operative to positively retain the chamber in retracted position and to release the same from its retracted position automatically upon relative axial movement oi said tubular elements, said means including a detentelement secured inone of said tubular elements against axial movement relatively thereto and shiftabl e radially of the other tubular element into and out of retaining position.

2, Anautomatic syringe injector comprising a tubular chamber adapted to receive and hold asyringe therein with its injector needle protruding therefrom, a detent carrying sleeve in telescopic engagement with said chamber, a coiled spring interposed between the chamber and sleeve adapted to be compressed by relative movement of said sleeve and chamber, a cooking tube in telescopic engagement with the exterior of said sleeve, said sleeve having a plurality of apertures, and ball detents disposed said apertures, said tube and chamber having channeled portions cooperating with said ball deten-ts to retain the chamber in cocked position.

3. An automatic syring injector comprising a tubular member the bore of which provides a chamber to receive and retain a syringe assembly, said chamber being provided intermediate its length with adjoining sections of relatively different diameters, a casing for said chamber including a pair of relatively shiftable telescopically associated sleeve members, one of said members being provided with a lateral opening in the wall thereof and the other of said members being provided with an internal annular groove in substantial registry with said opening,

said groove being of asymmetric form in transverse section to provide a pair of axially spaced,

radially oifset annular seats, a ball detent interposed between said groove and said chamber and confined within said lateral opening, said ball detent being adapted for disposition in one or the other of said annular seats accordingly as said chamber is shifted to present one or the other of its intermediate sections aforesaid in registry with said lateral opening and spring means interposed between said tubular member and said casing for urging the former to a projected position with respect to the latter.

4. An automatic syringe injector comprising a tubular member the bore of which provides a chamber to receive and retain a syringe assembly, said chamber being provided intermediate its length with adjoining sections of relatively different diameters, a casing for said chamber including a pair of relatively shiftabletelescon ically associated sleeve members, one of said members being provided with a lateral openmg in the wall thereof and the other of said members being provided with an internal annular groove in substantial registry with said opening, said groove being of asymmetric form in transverse section to rovide a pair or axially spacedi radially onset annular seats; a ball detent interposed between said groove and said chamber and confined within saldlateral openmg", said detentbeing" adaptedfor disposition in one or the other of said annular seats accordingly as said chamber is shifted to present: one or the other or its intermediate sections aforesaid in registry with sa-id lateral opening, said ball detent being operative when disposed between the chamber section aforesaid o1 smallest diameter and the inner one of said: radially offset; annular sea-ts to trictionally retain the chamber in retracted position within its: cas ing and spring means interposed between said tubular member and said casing for urgingthe tonne: to a projected positionwith respect to the latter;

5. An automatic syringe injector; comprising: a. tubular member thebore of which provides a chamberto receive and retain a syringe assembly; said chamber being provided intermediate its length adjoining-sections or relatively d-lfierent diameters, a casing for said chamber including a pair of relatively shiftable telescopically associated sleeve members, one of said members being provided a lateral opening in the wall thereof and the other of said members being provided with an internal annular groove substantial registry with said opening, said groove being of asymmetric form in transverse sectionto provide a pair 01' axially spaced, radially offset annular seats, a ball detent interposed between said grooveand said chamber element and confined within said lateral opening said ball detent being adapted for disposition in one or the other of said annular seats accordingly as said chamber is shiftedto present one. or the other of its intermediate sections aforesaid in registry vvi'th said lateral opening, said ball detent being operative when disposed between the chamber section aforesaid of greatest diameter and-the outer one of said radially offset annular seats to permit free movement of said chamber axially of its casing and spring means interposed between said tubular member and said casing for urging the former :2 a projected positionwith respect to the lat- 6'. An automatic syringe injector comprising a. tubular chamber adapted to receive and hold a syringe injector with its injector need-1e protruding therefrom, said chamber being provided intermediate its length with adjoining sections of relatively diflerent diameters, a casing l for said chamber including a pair of relatively shiftable telescopically associated sleeve members, one of said members. being provided with a lateral opening in the wall thereof and the other of said members being provided with an i internal annular groove in substantial registry with said opening, said, groove being of asym metric form in transverse section to provide a pair of axially spaced, radially ofiset annular seats and a bail detent interposedbetween said groove and said chamber and confined within said lateral opening, said ball detent being adapted for disposition in one or the other of said annular seats accordingly as said chamher is shifted to. present one or the other of its intermediate sections aforesaid in registry with said lateral opening, and a coiled compression spring operatively associated with said chamher and its casing for imparting to' the chamber a normal bias tending to shift it axially of the 6181115.

'1. An automatic syringe lnjector'comprising a tubular chamber adapted to receive and hold a syringe injector with its injector needle protruding therefrom, said chamber being provided intermediate its length with a limited section of uniform diameter and with an immediately adjoining section of different diameter, a casing for said chamber including a pair of relatively shiftable, telescopically associated sleeve members, the telescoped portions of said sleeve members being respectively provided with an internal annular groove and with a plurality of circumferentially spaced lateral openings, said groove being of asymmetrical form in transverse section to provide a pair of axially spaced, radially offset annular seats, and a plurality of ball de tents respectively disposed within said lateral openings and adapted to be shifted into radial registry with one or the other of said annular seats accordingly as said chamber is shifted ax- H ially of its casing to present one or the other of the aforesaid intermediate sections of said chamber to said ball detents, and a coiled compression spring operatively associated with said chamber and its casing for imparting to the w chamber a normal bias tending to shift it axially of the casing.

8. An automatic syrings injector comprising a tubular chamber adapted to receive and hold a syringe injector with its injector needle protruding therefrom, said chamber being provided intermediate its length with a limited section of uniform diameter and with an immediately adjoining section of different diameter, a casing for said chamber including a pair of relatively r5;

shiftable telescopically associated sleeve members being respectively provided with an internal annular groove and with a plurality of circumferentially spaced lateral openings, said groove being of asymmetrical form in transverse section to provide a pair of axially spaced, radially offset annular seats, and a plurality of ball detents respectively disposed within said lateral openings and adapted to be shifted into radial registry with one or the other of said annular 3 seats accordingly as said chamber is shifted axially of its casing to present one or the other of the aforesaid intermediate sections of said chamber to said ball detents, and a coiled compression spring operatively associated with said chamber and its casing for imparting to the chamber a normal bias tending to shift it axially of the casing, said ball detents being operative when disposed between the reduced diameter intermediate section of the chamber and the inner one of said radially offset annular seats to frictionally retain the chamber in retracted or cocked position against the compressive force exerted by said coiled compression spring.

9. An automatic syringe injector comprising a tubular chamber adapted to receive and hold a syringe injector with its injector needle protruding therefrom, said chamber being provided intermediate its length with a limited section of uniform diameter and with an immediately adtents respectively disposed within said lateral openings and adapted to be shifted into radial registry with one or the other of said annular seats accordingly as said chamber is shifted axially of its casing to present one or the other of the aforesaid intermediate sections of said chamber to said ball detents, and a coiled compression spring operatively associated with said chamber and its casing for imparting to the chamber a normal bias tending to shift it axially of the casing, said compression spring being operative upon retraction of said chamber to exert a rearward thrust against the sleeve member having said lateral openings whereby to shift said last-mentioned sleeve member relatively to the other and so effect frictional retention of the ball detents between the inner one of said radially offset annular seats and the reduced diameter intermediate section of the chamber.

10. An automatic injector for hypodermic needles including in combination a tubular member the bore of which provides a chamber to receive and retain a syringe assembly, a unit slidably disposed with respect to and having parts overlapping said member, said unit comprising a pair of sleeves disposed in telescopic relationship and movable with respect to each other, spring means bearing against said unit and member to urge the latter to a projected position with respect to the former, detent means forming a part of said injector and located within the zone of overlap of said sleeves and member to retain the former interlocked for limited axial movement relative to each other and said detent means being movable upon relative axial movement of said sleeves occurring to positively engage said tubular member for releaseably retaining the latter in retracted position.

11. An automatic injector for hypodermic needles including in combination a tubular mem-- ber the bore of which provides a chamber to receive and retain a syringe assembly, a unit slidabl disposed with respect to and having parts overlapping said member, said unit comprising a pair of sleeves disposed in telescopic relationship and movable with respect to each other, spring means bearing against said unit and member to urge the latter to a projected position with respect to the former, detent means forming a part of said injector and located within the zone of overlap of said sleeves and member to retain the former interlocked for limited axial movement relative to each other, said detent means being movable upon relative axial movement of said sleeves occurring in one direction to positively engage said tubular member for releasably retaining the latter in retracted position and said detent means being movable in a different manner upon relative axial movement of said sleeves occurring in an opposite direction to release said tubular member for projection.

, 12. An automatic injector for hypodermic needles including in combination a reciprocal member, means forming a pert of said member for retaining a needle-embracing syringe assembly in association therewith, mounting means for slidably supporting said member, a spring forming a part of said injector and acting age inst said member and mounting means to urge the former into a projected position, detent means also forming a part of said injector and retaining said member in retracted position and movable actuating means connected to said detent means to release the latter upon said actuating means being brought into contact with tissue to be pierced by a needle and being moved thereby with respect to parts of said injector.

13. An automatic injector for hypodermic needles including in combination a reciprocal member, means forming a part of said member for retaining a needle-embracing syringe assembly in association therewith, mounting means for slidably supporting said member, a spring forming a part of said injector and acting against said member and mounting means to urge the former into a projected position, detent means also forming a part of said injector and retaining said member in retracted position, movable actuating means connected to said detent means to release the latter upon said actuating means being brought into contact with tissue to be pierced by a needle and being moved thereby with respect to parts of said injector and said actuating means comprising a housing supported by said injector at an end of the same to conceal and enclose the adjacent needle of a syringe assembly when said reciprocal member is retained by said detent merns in retracted position.

14. An automatic injector for hypodermic needles including in combination a reciprocal member, means forming a part of said member for retaining a needle-embracing syringe assembly in association therewith, mounting means for slidably supporting said member, a spring forming a part of said injector and acting against said member and mounting means to urge the former into a projected position, detent means also formin a part of said injector end retaining said member in retracted position, said mounting means comprising a plurality of relatively movable parts and means associated with said parts and cooperating with said detent means to release the latter upon the mounting means having its parts moved with respect to each other incident to contact of one of the same with tissues to be pierced by a needle.

15. An automatic inector for hypodermic needles including in combination an outer, an inner and an intermediate member having parts of their bodies disposed in overlapping relationship, means ior retaining said members for limited axial movements with respect to each other, means associated with the innermost of said members for retaining a needle-supporting syringe assembly in association therewith, a spring acting against said innermost member and one of the other members for urging the former into a projected position, detent means engaging said innermost member to retain the latter against projection and means connected to said detent means to release the latter upon said intermediate and outer members being moved with respect to each other.

16, An automatic injector for hypodermic needles including in combination an outer, an inner and an intermediate member having parts of their bodies disposed in overlapping relationship, means for retaining said members for limited axial movements with respect to each other, means associated with the innermost of said members for retaining a, needle-supporting syringe assembly in association therewith, a spring acting against said innermost member and iii one of the other members for urging the former into a projected position, detent means engaging said innermost member to retain the latter against pro ection, means connected to said detent means to release the latter upon said intermediate and outer members being moved with respect to each other, said intermediate member constituting a grasping and manipulating unit for said in ector and said outer member extending adjacent the needle of an assembly supported by said inner member.

17. An automatic injector for hypodermic needles including in combination an outer, an inner and an intermediate member having parts 01' their bodies disposed in overlapping relationship, means for retaining said members for limited axial movements with respect to each other, means associated with the innermost of said members for retaining a needle-supporting syringe assembly in association therewith, a spring acting against said innermost member and one or the other members for urging the former into a projected position, detent means engaging said innermost member to retain the latter against projection, means connected to said detent means to release the latter upon said intermediate and outer members being moved with respect to each other, said intermediate member constituting a grasping and manipulating unit for said injector, said outer member extending adjacent the needle oi an assembly supported by said inner member and an extension adjustably supported by said outer member to project forwardly of such member and to shift the same with respect to said intermediate member.

18. An automatic injector for hypodermic needles including in combination an outer, an inner and an intermediate member having parts of their bodies disposed in overlapping relationship, means ior retaining said members for limited axial movements with respect to each other, means associated with the innermost of said members for retaining a needle-supporting syringe assembly in association therewith, a spring acting against said innermost member and one of the other members for urging the former into a projected position, detent means engaging said innermost member to retain the latter against projection, means connected to said detent means to release the latter upon said intermediate and outer members being moved with respect to each other, said retaining means associated with the innermost of said members comprising a part to engage the flange portion of a syringe barrel and said part being formed with an opening through which the plunger of the syringe assembly extends whereby said plunger may be projected with respect to said barrel after the projection of said inner member.

GERALD O. TRANSUE.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,047,010 Dickinson July 7, 1936 2,472,116 Maynes June 7, 1947 

